Mary L. Padden-Denmead

I started yoga back in the 70's, long before it was popular. There were no such things as yoga "studios" and dedicated teachers back then would welcome eager yogis into their homes to share their wisdom and practice. Unfortunately, life got in the way, and I strayed for many years until about ten years ago. I started to think about yoga a lot, but since I was a fitness freak, I did not think yoga would give me the "work out" that I thought my body needed totally neglecting the needs of my mind and spirit. I wanted to practice again, and yet I was not certain. I thought if I bought a mat, that would be my incentive to begin again. The mat sat in the corner of my living room for at least a year before I ever even opened it up. I purchased some dvds and started practicing on my own. Slowly, through the influence of my niece and people I worked with at the time, I made my way back into yoga. I joined one studio and then another. During this journey I suffered many significant losses. It was my yoga practice that helped me to maintain my sanity through my grief. Since then, the guidance I have received from teachers at Fitness Yoga, Experience Yoga, Yoga Inspired, and the Subtle Yoga Resilience Society, continue to support the nourishment of my body, mind, and spirit. These teachers inspired in me the desire to teach and to share this wonderful practice with others. I have completed courses to teach Yin Yoga, Yoga Nidra, Restorative Yoga, Kids Yoga with NGY, Chair yoga, and slow yoga for neuroplasticity, and meditation. So, that is my yoga journey. For the record, I teach in my full time job as well - I have a PhD in nursing. I was also a Captain in the United States Army Reserve Nurse Corps. I am very interested in integrative health practices and am certified as a Level II Reiki practitioner. I have also completed training in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, and Brazilian Toe Technique. I would very much like to partner with others who are interested in conducting research on the benefits of yoga and other holistic health modalities. I did some volunteer teaching yoga at an inpatient drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility. These ladies were so appreciative of the one hour a week I spent with them and I am grateful for their time and interest in yoga. I currently volunteer teach at an RV Resort in South Jersey. I sometimes substitute teach for other yoga instructors.. My nursing certifications include bereavement support and neonatal intensive care nursing. I live in beautiful southern New Jersey (yes, Jersey has a beautiful side, too) with my wonderful husband, Alex, and Sadie, our eight-year old Yo-shon. My grandsons, Jack and Roan are the lights of my life.